In a nutshell, the differences come in terms of portability and power. The MacBook Pro is a more powerful machine, but it’s bulkier than even many comparable PCs. The Air doesn’t have the same computing power or number of ports, but it’s light and thin, and undeniably more stylish. It all boils down to what you’d rather pay for.

If your goal is portability and you won’t be modeling 3D cities anytime soon, the Air is the better pick. The Pro outweighs it by more than 1.5 pounds, which could be the weight of another laptop altogether. And as we’ve mentioned, it gets plus points for being one of the thinnest laptops in the market, if not the thinnest.

Performance-wise, the match is surprisingly close. CNET even puts the score at a tie, as updates to the MacBook Air have allowed it to catch up in terms of speed. Its Core i5 processor and SSD storage allows for lightning-fast startup, even with the Pro’s slightly faster CPU. And that doesn’t even take a toll on battery life, as both machines last an impressive 6.5 hours off the socket.

The Pro has more generous features, mostly owing to its size. The 1-inch side offers plenty of room for a sizeable hard drive, optical drive, an Ethernet port, and a FireWire port—all of which are lacking in the Air. The hard drive difference is especially striking: the Air offers 128GB of storage space, upgradable to 256GB, while the Pro comes with 320GB. While 128 is plenty for someone who does Word documents and spreadsheets, it’s a lot of storage space lost in the name of sleekness. To its favour, the Air has a higher resolution: 1440×900 compared to the Pro’s 1280×800. The reason for this gap is unclear.

CNET gives an edge to the Pro for value for money, as you get more features for the same price. But if you don’t need any of these features and would rather have a backpack-friendly computer, then you might be happier with the lightweight Air. You may even want to consider the 11-inch version, which is more than enough for basic use and while being as portable as you can get.

First up, and probably most important, is the video quality. GoPro’s previous helmet cam already had pretty good quality—some would say it was and still is the best in the market—but the Hero2 cranks up the gears and makes it even better. Footage from the camera is right at par with its bulkier professional counterparts, especially with the enhanced low light capacity. It’s probably the only helmet camera that offers decent nighttime video quality, and it goes well beyond that.

Video resolution hasn’t changed from 720p and 1080p. But the added features more than make up for it: users can now switch the field of view from standard to medium (127-degree) and narrow (90-degree). It means a world of new possibilities when it comes to creative footage, and the chance to get those rare wildlife shots or a dramatic sunset picture without having to leave the road. The new 960p mode records up to 48 frames per second, up from the earlier model’s 30. The updated standard-definition WVGA option allows you to go up to 120-fps—perfect for seamless slow-motion videos.

The still pictures are equally impressive. Stills have always been a helmet cam’s weak point; it’s just hard to capture sharp images when you’re bouncing around on a dirt bike. But GoPro again delivers; while you’ll get much better pictures with a tripod, the sensor gets in an amazing amount of detail and clarity. They’ve also improved the resolution up to 11 megapixels, with 8-MP and 5-MP options. This is a huge leap from the first Hero Cam which only took 5-MP snaps.

If you found the first cam hard to navigate or are worried about operating your first, you’ll appreciate the language-based interface of the Hero2. The controls are very intuitive and changing modes is as easy as turning the thing on and off. There’s even a series of lights to tell you when it’s on, so there’s no need to keep checking every two minutes.

The GoPro HD Hero2 Helmet Cam also connects to HD TV sets via a mini HDMI port and allows preview and playback, as well as stream the video online. An external mic jack lets you plug in a microphone for better sound quality. Those are just some of the add-ons—GoPro has a lot more up its sleeve and this camera is sure to become every outdoorsman’s best friend!

As of the tablet’s release, the market was still largely dominated by the iPad, but Samsung had already gotten a strong hold of the Android following. Google’s operating system is used by a wide range of other tablet manufacturers, but so far, the experts’ consensus is that Samsung is the fiercest competitor to the iPad. And with the release of this new model, there’s little doubt that the playing field is evening out, if it hasn’t already.

The 7.7 is slightly bigger than the original Galaxy Tab at—you guessed it—7.7 inches diagonally. The resolution is just slightly higher at 1280×800, compared to 1280×600 in last year’s model. But with the new AMOLED (active matrix organic light-emitting diode) technology, that extra bit of screen space is all the more special. According to the company, it offers more contrast and brighter and deeper colors. And if you’re worried about battery life, don’t fret: its 5100mAh battery can run up to 10 hours of video playback.

Functions have also been largely improved, something buyers are probably expecting after the disappointment at the first Galaxy Tab. Samsung’s first release was met with criticism for lacking Android apps and general lack of features. The 7.7 not only comes with Honeycomb 3.2, the latest Android version made specifically for tablets, but also offers more bells and whistles, such as the TouchWiz program which allows users to put frequently used apps in an easily accessible tray. The home screen can be customized with live feeds or user photos, and the screen can be adapted to expand images from smartphones with smaller screens.

There’s also a 2-megapixel front-facing camera and a 3-megapixel rear-facing one, the latter equipped with a flash. Wireless connections are supported at 802.11 a/b/g/n. Release dates have yet to be finalized, given the company’s current legal glitches with Apple. In any case, the hype’s already up, and it looks like the new tab on the block will not disappoint.

HP Envy 14 Spectre

CNet put this on top of its list for computers and hardware, not least because of its NFC support (for making mobile payments, among other things) and great audio features. They’re far from groundbreaking, but they’re noticeably lacking in the competition. Its supposed selling point is the shiny glass lid, although it can be a turnoff for more mobile users looking for a rugged construction.

Dell XPS 13

For this impressive business laptop, Dell took the sleek profile of the MacBook Air and added the look and feel of its Latitude series. This sets it apart visually from previous models in the XPS line, along with its large, easy-to-use track pad and sturdy Gorilla Glass-covered screen. Technically it’s still a business laptop, although the lines are starting to blur. In any case, at about two-thirds the price of the HP above, it’s a pretty good deal for casual computing.

Acer Aspire S5

At just 15mm thick and under 3 lbs., the Aspire S5 is one of the thinnest and lightest laptops on the market, at least so far. The exterior is magnesium alloy with an Onyx Black finish, adding to its smooth, no-nonsense look. The USB, HDMI, and Thunderbolt ports are hidden away at the back and protected by a port door, which could be great for protection but make connecting peripherals a little complicated.

Samsung Series 9

One of the first touch-screen laptops to hit the shelves, the Samsung Series 9 first appeared in 2011 as an ultrathin laptop that was, as onlookers called it, the closest one could get to a MacBook Air. The updated version was unveiled last month, retaining the skinny 13-inch profile and the fixing some of the obvious creases. An improved trackpad, better display, and lighter construction promise to make it one of the biggest sellers of the year.

The Vox retains its minimalist design and shiny black exterior, with colour options for the quilted back panel including pink, blue, and lime green. But all that sleekness covers up its actual bulk—at over 400 grams, it’s more than twice as heavy as the eReader Touch. The makers also opted for a misty, dirt-prone and cheap-looking plastic screen that all but shows the LED diodes if you look close enough.

What it has going for it is the colour screen and a handful of added features that come in pretty handy. Each unit comes with several built-in apps, including Zinio, which allows you to subscribe to and read magazines, and PressReaders, which does the same for newspapers. There’s also a dictionary app as well as your usuals: Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, YouTube, and an internet browser.

Needless to say, there’s an e-library with a link to Kobo’s bookstore, as well as Reading Life. One cool feature is that you can select a quote you like from a book and share it with friends. And although it runs on Android, it doesn’t come with the official Market application, so you’ll have to buy your apps from a third-party platform, GetApps.

The Vox has stopped supporting comic book formats such as CBZ and CBR, which is strange considering the device has just come out in colour. PDF files, Adobe Digital Edition, and other third-party formats are also unsupported, although they were in the previous version. And since there’s no file manager feature, installing a separate e-reader would be rather complicated (although possible).

Overall, though, the Vox is a pretty good e-reader, and the colour viewer makes for a much better reading experience when it comes to magazines, children’s books, and comics if you can find a way to open them. You also get features on Reading Life that aren’t on the Touch, most notably Social Reading, where you can see readers’ comments and ratings. For its price, the Kobo Vox may be a bit steep considering it looks like a hasty release, but it may be worth waiting for some tweaks and upgrades down the line.

Internet and browsing

Worried about busting your download limits? Use Instapaper to save offline copies of web pages for later reading. If you’re one of those people who open the same websites every morning, put them all together with Flipboard—it stacks all your favourite websites into your own customized digital mag.

News and entertainment

Sunday TV guides are a thing of the past with the OzTV for iPad—it offers free listings for all Australian channels, along with show information and a search and save feature. Tired of waiting for the morning paper? Stay on top of current events with the SBS and BBC News apps—features include customizable content and up-to-date video reports.

Reading

The Kindle reader has saved university students thousands of dollars and freed up miles of bookcase space, and it continues to work its magic with its iPad version. Use it to buy and store your favourite books in one tap. If you don’t plan on buying books online, Goodreads is a great alternative—you can use it to organize and share with fellow readers.

Social networking

Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and other social networks all have considerable presence in the iPad market, to no one’s big surprise. The Facebook app is especially well-received; the experience offers pretty much everything you would find on the computer version. IM Pro allows you to access all your instant messaging accounts in one place, making it easier to stay in touch on the go.

Utilities

Surprisingly, the iPad doesn’t have a calculator function, something they’ll probably fix in future versions. In the meantime, there’s a load of alternatives, such as the free Calculator++ app. The eye-candy interface comes complete with scientific and trigonometric functions. At the end of the day, make sure you wake up on time with Night Stand, a clock app that doubles as a nighttime display and alarm clock.

To be sure, we’ve gone leaps and bounds in that direction. The biggest step the industry has taken was Near Field Communication (NFC), a way for mobile phones to interact with point-of-sale systems and connect to bank networks. Users can load up money on “mobile wallets,” linking their phone and bank accounts and essentially eliminating the need for cash. For the most part, the switch has been hampered by a slew of security issues and the resulting lack of interest from smartphone manufacturers.

For example, Apple’s latest offering, the iPhone 4S, did not incorporate NFC technology as many had expected. With the tech market heavily dependent on trendsetters, it’s safe to assume that any new feature will catch on when market leader Apple decides to use it—and the next iPhone probably won’t come until much later in the year.

But what goes on in the Apple boardroom isn’t all that defines mobile payments. Other major players are hot on the trails of NFC; for instance, Google launched Google Wallet and will soon find itself pitted against mobile phone carriers with more than enough resources and motivation to invest in the technology. Even tech start-ups are joining the game: a small company in Redwood, California is working on an open-source NFC platform that’s free for anyone, from independent app developers to banks and phone providers.

A more tangible obstacle is the lack of infrastructure to support NFC payments. About 85% of purchases are still being made with cash, despite the millions of credit cards currently in circulation (the financial crisis has been a major factor). Until more institutions start accepting mobile phone payments, it  may be a while before you can pay for your lunch with a wave of your iPhone.

Nonetheless, 2012 is set to be a big year not just for mobile payments, but for NFC technology in particular. Besides faster shopping, it allows for easier access to everything from classrooms and library books to advertising messages from retailers. So even if you’re still paying with your credit card in December, it’s likely that mobile payments will already have changed the way you shop.

BlueStacks, a relatively new software outfit, has come up with a solution that allows you to run Android apps on your PC. Their eponymous program has made it possible for app developers to offer test runs on their websites, and for users to manage their data from phone to PC. Game enthusiasts are now also able to play their games on larger screens.

The program is basically a virtual operating system incorporating Android’s features and user interface, but made to run on the PC. That means it uses your computer’s processor, Internet connection, sound card, and other resources, including your mouse and keyboard. When it’s open, it runs in the background and is able to store, play, and even download apps. You can buy apps through BlueStacks using your Facebook account; you have to subscribe to updates to see which apps are available by the day.

You can also sync the program to your phone (the same way you sync your iPod to iTunes) using Cloud Connect, a free app from the same company. It’s meant to be installed on your phone and is easy to find on the Android Market. BlueStacks will provide a 9-digit pin which you will have to enter on your phone, allowing phone and PC to recognize each other.  All you have to do is select apps from either BlueStacks or your phone and choose the Sync option—the two will connect using your internet connection.

So what’s the catch? Since it’s a relatively new program, BlueStacks isn’t able to run all apps. This can be due to hardware incompatibility or wireless network requirements, but the biggest hurdle is licensing: the free version of BlueStacks can only hold 26 apps at a time. The pro version, which is expected to come out soon, will be able to hold more apps, although there’s no word on how much (or whether there’s a limit). Nonetheless, it’s a useful app whether you’re an avid gamer, a mobile businessman or just someone with one too many gizmos.

AppFog: One of the few companies based on Cloud Foundry, an open-source code, AppFog is highly user-focused, with features designed by users themselves to fit their own specs. The switch, which required it to change names (it was formerly called PHP Fog), has allowed the company to support a larger number of programming languages, including little-known and emerging ones. In 2012, it’s expected to improve as Cloud Foundry continues its development pattern, making it a good bet for companies looking for a stable service.

CloudSigma: This service plans to compete with big names like Rackspace and Amazon Web Services by offering increased control and powerful features—a combination that’s strangely hard to come by in the business. It boasts solid-state drives, a 10GbE capacity, and granular control, which currently happens only in co-location.

Bromium: We don’t know much about this start-up yet, but the idea seems to be securing different locations, such as desktops and smartphones, using virtualization technology. This basically means creating a virtual version of a drive, storage device, or operating system so that systems can monitor themselves. Most of today’s cloud security services focus on securing the server, so this can fill an important gap especially as more mobile users are expected to latch on to the cloud.

Cloudability: Addressing a problem common to fellow start-ups, Cloudability allows you to keep track of your own spending on cloud computing services. It’s not so much about resource allocation as it is about monitoring; for example, a manager can see where employees are accessing files from, and using the same concept, whether network traffic is showing suspicious patterns. This may not be a vital tool for most small businesses, but as usage grows, services like these are likely to be in high demand.

Nokia, for example, has partnered up with Microsoft for a series of Windows-powered phones that pose some serious competition, at least to the Android market (currently the biggest threat to Apples iOS operating system). The Lumia series offers a range of entry-level to business-friendly phones offering such features as 4G capability and seamless, high-speed operation. In terms of appearance and power, a Lumia is no iPhone or Samsung Galaxy. But Nokia seems to be targeting the market of first-time smartphone owners, those who want to upgrade from simple voice and text messaging but aren’t quite sure where to start.

The series’ flagship unit is the Lumia 800, which Nokia dubs a “no-nonsense phone.” This is obvious in its simple yet efficient design, sporting only a volume control, power button and camera shutter on one side and keeping the other bare. And the construction is surprisingly solid for a Nokia phone: the 12-mm body sports a one-piece shell made with scratch-resistant polycarbonate. Other features include an 8-megapixel camera, AMOLED screen (the same as in the Galaxy series), and some well-received proprietary apps such as Nokia Music, which conveniently connects to a music store, and Nokia Drive, a surprisingly efficient navigation app.

The Lumia 710 is a less feature-packed but equally impressive model. Like its big brother, it runs on Windows 7 and is 4G-capable. It also has the same 3.7-inch screen with an 800×480 resolution, although it’s not as bright. This can be a good thing if you’re concerned about battery life; tests showed that a fully-charged phone can last two days of average use. Uniquely among smartphones, its home screen is a raised button at the bottom front rather than a touch button—most likely a cost-cutting decision on the design end. But all things considered, it’s a very good phone for its price: you can get it for $50 in the U.S. with a two-year plan.